Juan Manuel Marquez moaned and groaned to anyone who would listen that he deserved a fourth fight with Manny Pacquiao.

In his mind, he had won their first three bouts. But the judges saw things differently, twice scoring Pacquiao the winner after the first fight was judged a draw.

Marquez got his fourth fight, and came through with a stunning sixth-round knockout that saw Pacquiao fall face-first on the canvas Dec. 8 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao wants a fifth fight. But according to stories coming out of Mexico, Marquez is balking.

"Regarding the fifth fight with Pacquiao, I am not interested in doing it," Marquez told The Record in Mexico in a story that appeared on BoxingScene.com this week. "There is no point. The objective was achieved and everything that was outstanding is now finished. The most important thing is that everything concluded in a positive manner for me. I don't believe that the fans are interested in seeing another rematch between us."

Marquez went on to tell that publication that because of the results of the first three fights, he earned the fourth fight. He also said that fourth fight was a chance for Pacquiao to finally beat him convincingly.

"He knew that I beat him, and logically he did not want to continue the rest of his career with this thorn in his side," Marquez said. "By giving me the opportunity, Manny Pacquiao also gave an opportunity to himself because he wanted a clear victory."

Unbelieveable. If this is true, and we have no reason to believe it's not, Marquez is being about as bush-league as one can be. After all the crying he did, practically begging for a fourth fight, for him to say he doesn't owe Pacquiao a fifth fight is just brutal.

Well, we got Bob Arum on the phone Thursday. He promotes both fighters.

When we started to lash out about Marquez to Arum, the longtime promoter interrupted.

"No, no, no," Arum said, "he's a nice boy."

But what about the quotes attributed to Marquez?

"It's been like crazy quesitons that the Mexican guys have been asking him and then he gets angry and then he says things they quote and they're really out of context," said Arum, chairman of Top Rank Inc.

With all due respect to Arum, it's hard to imagine how these particular quotes were taken out of context. In other words, what else could they mean regardless of where they came from during a particular interview?

Of course, Marquez could be saying these things as a way to get the most he can financially get out of a fifth fight.

As we continued our conversation with Arum, one thing was certain - he left no doubt that making that fifth fight is of the utmost importance. And he said it will get made, probably for Sept. 14.

"You understand, there is no fight that can be made for him - and I'm his promoter - that can be anywhere close to what he would make from Pacquiao," Arum said. "Boxing is a business and he's going to do what is best for him and his family, and we'll find a solution."

Arum, when queried, said there are no actual negotiations taking place at this time for the fifth go-round. But he aims to get started soon with some early talks with Pacquiao's adviser, Michael Koncz.

"Michael is coming to see me to explore everything," Arum said. "The issue is whether to do it in this country or out of the country. I have to lay out the numbers as to what happens if it's in the United States or if it's outside, taking into account the 39.6 percent tax rate."

Arum was referring to the newly passed higher marginal tax rate that is up from 35 percent.

"That's the first issue," Arum said. "Once that's resolved, then the question is how the fight gets split up and so forth. And that, to me, is not an insurmountable issue. There is plenty of money available."

Arum then put himself on the spot.

"Both of these guys are under contract to Top Rank," he said. "If I can't make the deal under those circumstances, then I don't deserve to be in the business."

Neither does Marquez, if he doesn't give Pacquiao that fifth fight.

Bradley set to defend controversial title

It's only been eight months since Timothy Bradley's highly controversial victory over Manny Pacquiao in a welterweight title fight on June 9 in Las Vegas. Everyone - except two of the so-called judges - had Pacquiao winning. Handily, even.

It was therefore no surprise that there was a bit of smack- talk at this week's Los Angeles news conference formally announcing Bradley's March 16 defense against Ruslan Provodnikov of Russia at Home Depot Center (on HBO).

While talking about this fight, Bradley brought Freddie Roach into the picture. Roach trains Pacquiao and Provodnikov.

"I already beat Freddie Roach's top dog, so I don't know how much Freddie can help this guy," said Bradley, of Palm Springs.

To which Roach had a fitting reply.

"Only Bradley and two other guys believe that," he said, referring to judges Duane Ford and C.J. Ross, both of whom somehow had Bradley winning 115-113. "I think Bradley's been out in the desert sun too long."

Bob Arum promotes Pacquiao and Bradley. Obviously, Pacquiao has been Arum's cash cow and he was not happy with the ridiculous decision that night. He was asked Thursday what he thought about Bradley's comment.

"Bradley had his hand raised," Arum said. "If he had his hand raised, I guess he believes he won it, you know? Two judges believe he won it. In the absence of any hint of corruption, he technically won the fight, so you cant blame him for trumpeting that."

Bradley sustained injuries to his feet in the Pacquiao fight, and has declared himself healthy and ready to resume his career.

"I want to fight three or four times this year," said Bradley, 29. "I have the hunger back."

Provodnikov, also 29, is 22-1 with 15 knockouts. He most recently fought at an outdoor venue at Omega Products International in Corona, where he knocked out Jose Reynoso in the second round of their junior welterweight bout.

Provodnikov is moving up in weight for this challenge at Bradley's title, the one he's lucky to have.

Etc.

The rematch between heavyweights Seth Mitchell and Johnathon Banks that was scheduled for next Saturday at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City has been postponed because Banks sustained a broken thumb during training. Banks upset Mitchell via second-round TKO on Nov. 17 at Boardwalk Hall. There is no new date yet. The main event between lightweight champion Adrien Broner (25-0, 21 KOs) of Cincinnati and Gavin Rees (37-1-1, 18 KOs) of Wales will go on as scheduled (on HBO). ... Delvin Rodriguez (26-6-3, 14 KOs) of Danbury, Conn. will square off with George Tahdooahnippah (31-0-1, 23 KOs) in the 10-round middleweight main event Friday from Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn. (on ESPN2). Tahdooahnippah, of Lawton, Okla., is nicknamed "Comanche Boy." ... The scheduled Feb. 23 welterweight title fight between Devon Alexander of St. Louis and Kell Brook of England in Detroit was postponed because of a biceps injury suffered by Alexander in training. However, since Floyd Mayweather Jr. sent out a tweet this week saying his fight May 4 could be against Alexander, industry insiders are thinking Alexander may not really be injured, that it was a ploy to get the Mayweather fight. Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, hinted Friday that Alexander is not going to be Mayweather's opponent, however. Golden Boy promotes Alexander and has promoted Mayweather's past several fights.